Security arrangements in place ahead of Loya Jirga

KABUL and the US.

The four-day assembly is expected to be attended by more than 2,000 influential figures, tribal elders and scholars to float their suggestions for the strategic relations with the US and setting up a mechanism for peace talks with the rebels.

To be held at the tent of Loya Jirga in Polytechnic area of the capital city, 25 percent of the participants are said to be women.

The Interior Ministry spokesman, Ghulam Siddiqu Siddiqui, says police would be deployed to all parts of the city, particularly in the vicinity of the Polytechnic.

He also urges Kabul residents to cooperate with police in maintaining security for the jirga.

The Taliban have warned to attack participates of the Jirga.

They warned to attack whether he or she is a participant, organizer or inviter of the event, calling the event as illegitimate. The rebels say the Afghan government is misusing the traditional Loya Jirga to pave the way for the US permanent military bases in Afghanistan.

The head of Hope and Change Coalition Abdullah Abdullah has said holding the jirga was illegitimate. In a four-article statement, the party said such events were illegal in the existence of the national assembly.

Kabul city residents also urge security officials to try their best to maintain security during the days of jirga. No one should be allowed to create any violence during the jirga, Mohammad Rafi, a Kabul resident, said.

Since a large number of influential figures would participate in the assembly to discuss key national interest issues, the security forces should not let insurgents to destabilise the situation, he said.

The anti-government insurgents have been opposing any initiative of the Afghans and they would try to create problems for the jirga, the interior ministry spokesman said, adding police would try their best to prevent any sort of attack from insurgents.

frm/ma

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